Portable infant shower-tub



May 3, 1966 a. E. STOUT ETAL PORTABLE INFANT SHOWER-TUB Filed Dec. 31,1963 5b n UUUii-J 2 2? 25 F/as' INVENTORS GRANT E. STOUT CHARLES EFRANCIS ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,248,741 PORTABLE INFANTSHOWER-TUB Grant E. Stout, 1002 N. Dorothy St., and Charles E.

Francis, R.R. 3, both of Claremore, Okla.

Filed D'ec. 31,,1963, Ser. No. 334,881 4 Claims. (Cl. 4-148) Thisinvention relates to a shower-bathing apparatus, and more particularlyto a shower-tub formed in the shape of an animal-or other interestattracting object for use in showering infants.

A primary object of the invention'is to provide a portable shower foruse in bathing infants which may be placed on a table or cabinet in anyroom in the house and which is adapted to receive a second, smallerportable bathtub which is adapted to support the infant.

Another object is to provide a portable shower-tub which is adapted toreceive a smaller, portable bathtub; the latter being speciallyconstructed to support an infant both during and after showering.

A third object is to provide a portable shower-tub having the overallappearance of an animal or other animated object and formed so as tohave a hollow torso open at its top in order to accommodate and receivea second, smaller, infant supporting bathtub.

A further object of the invention is to provide a means for a bath byshowering, which will be safe for an infant.

Still another object is to provide a portable infant shower-tub having aself contained fluid supply and shower system for use in shower bathingan infant.

The objects of the invention will be achieved by the provision of aportable infant shower-tub having an outer tub, a self contained fluidsupply and shower system mounted on the outer tub, and an inner bathtubreceivable within the outer tub.

These and other objects and advantages will be apparent by reference tothe following detailed description and drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the shower-tub in its preferredform;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 22 of FIG. 1, showing a planview of the multiple shower-tub arrangement;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the inner bathtub and;

FIG. 4 is a transverse sectional view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1,taken along line 44.

In the following detailed description of the invention, like referencenumerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1, thepreferred embodiment of the invention generally designated 1, is ashower-tub formed in the shape and having the overall appearance of aduck or other animal. The shower-tub 1, which is portable and of thesize to be conveniently placed on a cabinet or table, is comprised of ahollow water container 2 mounted on an outer tub 3. The container 2 isgenerally hollow and thin walled, and may be shaped to simulate the headof a duck or other animal. Container 2 is removaby connected, as at 4,to the outer tub 3. A hand lock 5, or other suitable connecting means,may be provided for ease of separation of the container 2 from the outertub 3.

The outer tub 3, shaped in the form of a torso of an animal andcomprised of relatively thin walls 13 formed in a unitary shell-likestructure, is open at its top portion and has an aperture adapted tomount the hollow container 2 as previously described. The outer tub 3 isconstructed to receive a smaller and portable inner bath tub 16.

The hollow container 2, having the shape of the head of a duck, may beadapted to be filled with a fluid by any convenient means. As shown inFIGS. 1 and 4, these means 'may. be either a detachable lid 6, forming apart of the top of the container 2; or a screw plug or cap 7 located atthe bottom of container 2 adjacent the area of connection 4, or betweenthe container 2 and the outer tub 3.

Also, the fluid in the container may be dispensed into the outer tub 3-by means of a shower head 8, connected to and in communication with head2 at 9 through a flexible tube 10. The shower head 8 may be suspendedfrom or attached to a bracket 2a extending from container 2 (as shown inFIG. 1) when not in use, and may be lowered into a sprinkling positionfor the dispensing of the fluid from container 2 by gravity feed when itis desired to cleanse or rinse the infant.

The outer tub 3 may be formed or provided with a soap and washcloth tray11 in one end, having a plurality of drain apertures 12 disposed in thebottom thereof. The latter provides a convenient means for holding thesoap and washcloth and allows excess fluid to drain into outer tub 3.

Suitable legs or feet 14 may be provided on the bottom of the outer tub3 for support. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the legs or feet may besuction cups, allowing the device to be secured to the top of a cabinet,table or other supporting surface.

An aperture 15, or other suitable drain means may be disposed or mountedin the walls 13 of the outer tub 3. Obviously, the desired maximum levelof the water in the outer tub 3 depends upon the orientation andposition of the aperture 15.

The inner bathtub 16, constructed to support an infant in a horizontalposition, is comprised of relatively thin side walls 17, an end wall 18;a head supporting end 19 having a depression 20 formed therein forreceiving and supporting the infants head, and a bottom 21. A pluralityof vertically extending, elongated apertures 22 are disposed in each ofthe side walls 17 to permit the shower water to flow out of the innerbathtub 16.

Any number of apertures 22 may be utilized, and the spacing and size isnot critical. However, it is intended that the apertures be orientedwith their lower-most portions 23 a small distance above the bottom 21of the inner bathtub 16. Thus, a drain plug 24 may be provided in thebottom of the inner bathtub 16 in order to conveniently drain any amountof water which remains in the showertub after using.

The inner bathtub 16 may be supported above the bottom surface of theouter tub 3 by a plurality of suitable legs or feet 25. As shown in FIG.3, suction cups may be used in order to secure the inner bathtub to theouter -tub 3.

Representative dimensions of the embodiment of the invention shown inFIGS. 1 through 4 are as follows:

Inches Overall length of shower-tub 36 Overall height 24 Width of outertub 20 Length of inner tub 27 Width of inner bathtub 15 Height of innerbathtub 6 In the operation of-the device, the infant is placed in theinner bathtub 16, when the latter has been placed in the outer tub 3.The inner bathtub 16 thereby acts as a support or cradle for the infant.The outer tub 3 and the water container 2, the latter having been filledwith water, are placed on a cabinet or table.

The bathing of the infant may be accomplished by the spring of waterfrom shower head 8. The apertures 22 disposed in the walls 17 of theinner bathtub 16 permit water to flow out of the inner bathtub into theouter tub after bathing and in preparation for showering.

Upon completion of the bathing of the infant, the drain plug in theinner bathtub 16 may be removed, and the baby and the inner bathtub 16removed from the outer tub. The water will drain from the inner bathtub16 either through the drain hole or through the apertures 22 disposed inits side Walls. The inner bathtub may then be placed on a convenientsupporting surface, and the infant dried.

In the operation of the device as briefly described, the inner bathtub16 provides a support or cradle for the infant both before, during, andafter the shower.

Alternatively, the device may be utilized without the use of the innerbathtub 16, as when it is desired to bathe a young child. In thisinstance, the child is placed in the outer tub 3 and showeredaccordingly.

The particular configuration of the device of the invention, as shown inFIG. 1, willattract the interest of an infant, and will aid in theadaption of the infant to the shower and the surrounding environment.-It is understood that the device may be constructed in the form of bothanimate and inanimate objects.

The device shown in the drawings may be constructed of molded plastic orother suitable materials, and may be painted or decorated to provide aninterest attracting appearance. The device is economical to construct,yet provides highly advantageous means for conveniently showering aninfant.

The foregoing detailed description is not by way of limitation, and itis intended that the scope of the invention be defined by its objectsand the following-claims.v

What is claimed is:

all appearance of an animal, comprising,

an outer tub having its sides formed in the shape of the torso of ananimal and having an open top portion,

a hollow fluid container in the shape of an animals head and removablymounted on said outer tub, shower means on said fluid container fordispensing the fluid contained therein,

an inner bathtub receivable within said outer tub .and

having integral bottom, side, and end walls, at least one of said wallshaving one or more apertures disposed therein for controlling the levelof fluid in said tub.

2. A ortable shower-tub for an infant as defined in claim 1, includingmeans on said hollow fluid container for filling said container with afluid.

3. A portable shower-tub for an infant as defined in claim 1, includinga soap and washcloth supporting portion mounted on said outer tub, saidsupporting portion having a plurality of apertures disposed therein.

4. A portable shower-tub for an infant as defined in claim 1, includingdrain means on said inner bathtub and said outer tub.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,260,343 3/ 1918Decker 222-7 8 2,111,507 3/1938 Hogan 22278 2,112,409 3/1938 Prince 41852,121,118 6/1938 Cooper 22278 2,814,905 12/1957 Notaro 4148 2,854,67110/1958 Setecka 4173 3,010,116 11/1961 Cowley 4--173 3,015,828 1/1962Beebe 4-148 LAVERNE D. GEIGER, Primary Examiner.

H. K. ARTIS, Assistant Examiner.

1. A PORTABLE SHOWER-TUB FOR AN INFANT HAVING THE OVERALL APPEARANCE OFAN ANIMAL, COMPRISING, AN OUTER TUBE HAVING ITS SIDES FORMED IN THESHAPE OF THE TORSO OF AN ANIMAL AND HAVING AN OPEN TOP PORTION, A HOLLOWFLUID CONTAINER IN THE SHAPE OF AN ANIMAL''S HEAD AND REMOVABLY MOUNTEDON SAID OUTER TUB, SHOWER MEANS ON SAID FLUID CONTAINER FOR DISPENSINGTHE FLUID CONTAINED THEREIN, AN INNER BATHTUB RECEIVABLE WITHIN SAIDOUTER TUB AND HAVING INTEGRAL BOTTOM, SIDE, AND END WALLS, AT LEAST ONEOF SAID WALLS HAVING ONE OR MORE APERTURES DISPOSED THEREIN FORCONTROLLING THE LEVEL OF FLUID IN SAID TUB.